Minnesota State Song

The official Minnesota State Song: “Hail! Minnesota,” was written by University of Minnesota students Truman E. Rickard (music and first verse, in 1904) and Arthur E. Upson (second verse, in 1905). It was adopted as the state song in 1945.

The University of Minnesota Alumni Association, owner of the copyright to the Minnesota song, released its copyright to the words and music for the purpose of permitting the legislature to adopt it as the state song.

The original U of M version of the song is pictured here. The state song replaces the phrase “Hail to thee our college dear” with “Hail to thee our state so dear.” In 2006, Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer commissioned an official recording of the State Song, performed by the Mahtomedi High School Chamber Singers.

Hail Minnesota

Minnesota, hail to thee!
Hail to thee, our state so dear,
Thy light shall ever be
A beacon bright and clear.
Thy son and daughters true
Will proclaim thee near and far,
They shall guard thy fame and adore thy name;
Thou shalt be their Northern Star.
Like the stream that bends to sea,
Like the pine that seeks the blue;
Minnesota, still for thee
Thy sons are strong and true.
From the woods and waters fair;
From the prairies waving far,
At thy call they throng with their shout and song;
Hailing thee their Northern Star.

See also:

Minnesota State Flag

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